makes ours a wonderful life. We should thank the sea, the ocean, every day. Without the ocean and all the life in it, our planet would be much poorer. But on this day, I was having a hard time feeling grateful After a few more attempts, I decided to let myself go and give up the fight. I took a deep breath. The next wave took me down and forward. I hit the bottom with my back. I rolled over, hit my head, and after what seemed the longest minute of my life, I found myself lying in a foot of water. I scrambled out of the water and onto the beach. I'd got out, but I had lost my mask, snorkel and one fin. My whole body was sore, as if a gang of boxers had punched me viciously. I sat on the beach breathless, watching the sea and feeling lucky to be alive. I walked back home slowly, ears down like a beaten dog. Some days the sea wants us and some days she doesn't. Since that day, I have not been to the sea when she does not want me. I have learned my lesson. I now thank the sea every day the surface is calm, the waters are clear and diving is easy. And I ask for forgiveness every time I dive and see no fish